The four works on this album by the esteemed Chinese-American composer Chen Yi are all premiere recordings, two of which - The Soulful and the Perpetual and Three Bagatelles - she has adapted specifically for violinist/violist Patrick Yim and pianist Kiu Tung Poon for this recording. Admired for bridging Eastern and Western traditions, Chen Yi draws on authentic folk music from the west of China, evoking the sound of the bawu and lerong in Three Bagatelles. Originally composed for saxophone and piano, The Soulful and the Perpetual is characterised by two opposing movements - the first lyrical; the second a perpetuum mobile. Spring in Dresden is a vivid and energetic work with erhu-inspired sliding tones, while the Chinese Folk Dance Suite is colourful, virtuosic, and brilliantly conceived.
